he had always been of irreproachable character, trusted and
respected, yet the circumstances were such that suspicion was turned
towards him. A certain officer in the king's army appeared and declared
himself ready to testify as a witness to treasonable acts and words on
the part of my great-grandfather. A warrant was issued for his arrest,
and the process was about to be served when it was discovered that he
had fled. Then his house was searched, and in it was found strong
corroborative evidence. This was nothing less than letters, which, if
genuine, proved without the shadow of doubt that he was guilty. There
was no one to appear in defence of the accused, and he was convicted. As
he was not to be found within the king's domains, judgment of outlawry
was pronounced against him as a fugitive from justice. Then followed
those dreadful attendant penalties; confiscation of his estate and the
terrible 'attainder and corruption of blood.' His only son was in
America at the time, and, disgraced and with prospects blighted by the
news of his father's downfall, he resolved never to return. Twelve years
ago this son's youngest daughter, my beloved mother, died, leaving me
with little else than barely means enough to finish my education, and a
good amount of ambition.

"Although we lived in a republic where attainder is unknown in the laws
of the land, still my mother felt the disgrace keenly. She never
believed implicitly, however, that her grandfather was really guilty of
the crime for which he was convicted. In fact, after his sentence had
been pronounced, there were strong reasons for believing that he was not
in England at all at the time of the treason, and his son never ceased
in his unavailing efforts to find his whereabouts.

"The Crabshaw family had always been warm friends of ours, and, although
they had brought from England many British ideas and counted much on
loyalty, yet they were always ready to appreciate any true worth. After
I was left alone I valued their friendship highly. I was always welcome
at Mr. Crabshaw's house. Cecilia and I were companions in study, and
almost before I knew it we were--in love. As I found this sentiment
strengthening I grew alarmed; for, although no allusion to my family
disgrace had ever been made in my presence, I was aware that Mr.
Crabshaw knew the history well, and that the thought of an alliance with
the house of Crabshaw would be folly. It was at that time that my
mother's